Mamiya 7 - 43mm vs 50mm

G

gdi

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I'm thinking of going wider with my 7II. I know the 43 gives a significant incrase in FOV, but is the 50 as good optically? It gets little attention compared to the 43 and may be available at a better discount. (I currently have the 65 on the wide end)

Thanks for any info...
 
I was doing similar research earlier on and from what I've read (on the internet at least), the consensus seems to be pretty much that optically these two lenses are both amazing. It seems to boil down to what you think you will need. Many seem to find the 43mm too wide, and the external viewfinder a pain. But those who use the 43mm will tell you that the optics are 2nd to none, that it's a clone of sorts to the legendary Zeiss 38mm Biogon, etc. etc. I don't think you can go wrong with either - it ultimately will depend on what your needs are and budget.
 
macymills@mac.c said:
I was doing similar research earlier on and from what I've read (on the internet at least), the consensus seems to be pretty much that optically these two lenses are both amazing. It seems to boil down to what you think you will need. Many seem to find the 43mm too wide, and the external viewfinder a pain. But those who use the 43mm will tell you that the optics are 2nd to none, that it's a clone of sorts to the legendary Zeiss 38mm Biogon, etc. etc. I don't think you can go wrong with either - it ultimately will depend on what your needs are and budget.
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That is what I have been reading as well. I'm thinking I can live with the 50 if I can save a few hundred. There are a lot of the 43s available, but a good (< $1000) price is hard to find!
 
The 50 is excellent and plenty wide for most uses. Given the difference in price (and that you can probably resell if you decide later you need the 43mm without taking a big loss), I'd say try it first.
 
The 43mm is a great lens but I do find it a bit wide for regular use, although the 65mm is my alternative rather than the 50mm. The 43mm does vignette a little but I don't find it obtrusive, in fact for landscape use I find it quite attractive.
 
Ligament said:
Please explain why...
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50mm is not so extreme and therefore has more day to day application because it is not 'trying so hard to be dramatic.' Vignetting is lower too. I dont think there is any real sharpness difference to speak of, btu at wider apertures the vignetting of the 50mm is even less pronounced than stopped down and the 50 is very, very sharp from wide open and superb in the corners at only a stop or so down.

I was looking for a second body and got the 43mm as a deal I could not turn down, but ultimately the 50mm is the better lens to me and that is despite me being a huge fan of the wonderful 65mm. Close? I dont know or care. All I do know is that with the 65 and 50mm I can produce the photos I want most of the time and having a 80mm and 150 is also handy, but if I were to take only two lenses it would be the 65 and 50, then the 80, then 150, then 43 bringing up the rear.

If you are a total wideangle freak the 43mm is a must. Fantastic for big open spaces like beachscapes etc, but I do not do too much of that. I do more reportage/travel and so for people the 43mm is much less applicable.
 
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